The San Bernardino Symphony Youth Orchestras are a new music education initiative from the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra for students in the Inland Empire, Coachella Valley, and surrounding areas. The San Bernardino Symphony Youth Orchestra (SBSYO) is for students ages fourteen to eighteen (9th-12th grade), and the San Bernardino Symphony Overture Orchestra (SBSOO) is for students ages eleven to fourteen (6th-9th grade).
The mission of the San Bernardino Symphony Youth Orchestras is to provide a nurturing and creative environment where young musicians can grow musically and holistically through performance.
More specifically, our goals are to:
1. Provide familiarity with works from the symphony orchestra repertoire through the study and performance of both masterworks and contemporary literature with an emphasis on the works of underrepresented composers.
2. Establish the highest consistent performance standards and professionalism.
3. Enhance the study and practices encouraged in private lessons and school ensembles.
4. Apply historical context and theoretical principles in the development of musical expression and interpretation.
5. Encourage each individual’s artistic and technical musical development while working toward ensemble goals.
6. Provide an outlet for musical expression and creativity.
Both the San Bernardino Symphony Youth Orchestra and the San Bernardino Symphony Overture Orchestra are full orchestras for string, woodwind, brass, percussion, harp, and keyboard students. Instruments include flute/piccolo, clarinet/bass clarinet, oboe/English horn, bassoon/contrabassoon, alto/tenor/baritone saxophone, French horn, trumpet, tenor/bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, harp, keyboard, violin, viola, cello, and double bass.
The San Bernardino Symphony Youth Orchestra is under the leadership of Dr. Lucy Lewis (Artistic Director & Conductor) and Ms. Veronica Manzanera (Assistant Conductor). The San Bernardino Symphony Overture Orchestra is under the leadership of Dr. Susan Barnes (Artistic Director & Conductor), and Ms. Susan Felix (Assistant Conductor). The placement of 9th grade students in either the SBSOO or SBSYO will be determined in auditions.
The San Bernardino Symphony Youth Orchestra rehearses on Sundays from 2:00–5:00 p.m. at San Bernardino Valley College’s North Hall, Room 164. The San Bernardino Symphony Overture Orchestra rehearses on Sundays from 3:00–4:30 p.m. at TBD. Performances for both orchestras are presented at San Bernardino Valley College’s Auditorium, one in fall, and one in spring. For the full calendar for the ensembles, please scroll down.
AUDITIONS
Please note the following audition dates, times, and locations, and sign-up deadlines:
August 24 Auditions, 12:00 - 6:00 p.m., San Bernardino Valley College, North Hall 164 *Sign-up deadline: August 23, 11:59 p.m.
August 29 Auditions, 3:30 - 7:30 p.m., San Bernardino Valley College, North Hall 164 *Sign-up deadline: August 28, 11:59 p.m.
September 3 Auditions, 3:30 - 7:30 p.m., San Bernardino Valley College, North Hall 164 *Sign-up deadline: September 2, 11:59 p.m.
September 5 Auditions, 3:30 - 7:30 p.m., San Bernardino Valley College, North Hall 164 *Sign-up deadline: September 4, 11:59 p.m.
View audition requirements here:
To apply to join either the SBSYO or SBSOO, please fill out the registration form and sign up for an audition at the links below.
Register here:
Sign up for an audition here:
Audition results will be emailed by Friday, September 5, 8:00 p.m. Tuition payments should only be made after audition results have been received.
2025-26 CALENDAR
Fall 2025
August 24 Auditions, 12:00–6:00 p.m., San Bernardino Valley College, North Hall 164
August 29 Auditions, 3:30–7:30 p.m., San Bernardino Valley College, North Hall 164
September 3 Auditions, 3:30–7:30 p.m., San Bernardino Valley College, North Hall 164
September 5 Auditions, 3:30–7:30 p.m., San Bernardino Valley College, North Hall 164
September 7 Welcome & Orientation, 2:00–5:00 p.m., San Bernardino Valley College, North Hall 164
September 14 Rehearsal
September 21 Rehearsal
September 28 Rehearsal
October 5 SBCUSD Holiday/No Rehearsal
October 12 Rehearsal
October 19 Sectionals, Locations TBA
October 26 Rehearsal
November 2 Rehearsal
November 9 Veteran’s Day/No Rehearsal
November 16 Rehearsal
November 23 Rehearsal
November 30 Thanksgiving Break/No Rehearsal
December 7 Dress Rehearsal
December 12 Dress Rehearsal for SBSO Concert “A Christmas Festival,” Time TBA, California Theatre (SBSYO ONLY)
December 13 Performance for SBSO Concert “A Christmas Festival,” 3:00 p.m., California Theatre (SBSYO ONLY)
December 14 Fall Concert, 3:00 p.m., SBVC Auditorium, Sound Check @ 11:30 a.m.
Spring 2026
January 11 Rehearsal
January 18 Martin Luther King Day/No Rehearsal
January 25 Winter Workshop, 12:00–5:00 p.m., Locations TBA February 1 Rehearsal
February 8 SBCUSD Holiday/No Rehearsal
February 15 SBCUSD Holiday/No Rehearsal
February 22 Rehearsal
March 1 Rehearsal
March 8 Sectionals, Locations TBA
March 15 Rehearsal
March 22 Spring Break/No Rehearsal
March 29 Spring Break/No Rehearsal
April 5 Easter/No Rehearsal
April 12 Rehearsal
April 19 Rehearsal
April 26 Rehearsal
May 3 Dress Rehearsal
May 10 Mother’s Day/No Rehearsal
May 17 Spring Concert, 3:00 p.m., SBVC Auditorium, Sound Check @ 11:30 a.m.
June 29-July 3 CSUSB-SBSO Summer Youth Music Camp, Locations TBA
July 3 Dress Rehearsal for SBSO Concert “America the Beautiful,” Time TBA, San Bernardino Valley College Football Field
July 4 Performance for SBSO Concert “America, the Beautiful,” 7:30 p.m., San Bernardino Valley College Football Field
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
Instruments and Equipment:
● All SBSYO & SBSOO students are responsible for their own instruments. Lost, stolen, or damaged instruments or accessories are not the responsibility of SBSYO or SBSOO.
● Percussionists are required to provide their own mallets and sticks.
● Folders with a copy of the SBSYO & SBSOO handbook, calendar, and music for the term will be given out by the first rehearsal. Certain pieces may be subject to copyright laws and/or rental policies, and must be returned the day of the concert immediately following the performance. The replacement cost for parts for any of these pieces that are lost, or returned damaged, will be the student’s financial responsibility.
● All San Bernardino Valley College and SBSOO Rehearsal Location (TBA) equipment must be returned to the storage space before leaving rehearsals and concerts.
Rehearsals:
● Students will check the SBSYO & SBSOO calendar and resolve potential conflicts far in advance. (See the attendance policy in the handbook.)
● Students will warm up prior to rehearsals and be seated in the rehearsal space fifteen minutes prior to the start of rehearsal.
● Students will come prepared with the requisite technique to make music at every rehearsal, having practiced their music at home.
● Students will come to rehearsal with all necessary rehearsal tools, including instruments, sheet music, pencils, mutes, rock stops, straps, and other accessories. Percussionists will provide their own mallets.
● Students will keep the rehearsal room clean, organized, and secure. All chairs and stands will be returned to the racks after rehearsal. Percussionists will be responsible for the set-up and tear down of all percussion equipment before and after rehearsals.
● No food or drink (save water) is allowed in the rehearsal space at any time.
Concerts:
● Students will check the SBSYO & SBSOO calendar and resolve potential conflicts in advance. (See the attendance policy in the handbook.)
● Day of concert, students will warm up prior to the sound check and be seated in the concert space thirty minutes prior to the start of the sound check.
● Students will come to the sound check and concert with all necessary tools, including instruments, sheet music, pencils, mutes, rock stops, straps, and other accessories. Percussionists will provide their own mallets.
● No food or drink (save water) is allowed in the concert hall at any time.
● Concert attire:
○ Option A: Long-sleeved black dress shirt, plain black tie, black dress slacks, black socks, and black dress shoes. Athletic shoes, track shoes, and jeans (or jean-like trousers) are NOT acceptable.
○ Option B: Long black dress or skirt (at or below the knee), or black dress pants. Mini-skirts and jean-like pants are NOT acceptable. If wearing a skirt, black nylons are required. Minimum 3/4-sleeve length with a conservative neck for dresses or tops. NO bare shoulders or midriffs. Close-toed black shoes.
○ Please make sure clothes are neatly pressed, and all jewelry and/or hair adornments are unobtrusive.
CONCERT TICKETS
The SBSYO & SBSOO are partially funded by general admission concert tickets which are $10 each and may be purchased online at www.sanbernardinosymphony.org. Children under twelve may attend SBYSO & SBSOO concerts for free.
SBSYO & SBSOO families in good standing may also attend San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra concerts at no cost. To do so, they must register at rehearsal by clearly completing the sign-up sheet provided prior to each performance; following electronic tickets will be emailed to them.
TUITION AND FINANCIAL AID
SBSYO: Tuition for the SBSYO for the 2025-2026 season is $200 per semester for fall and spring, $400 total for the year (there is a $50 discount if tuition for the entire year is paid by September 7). Students will not be able to participate in the SBSYO rehearsals before a payment plan has been selected and tuition has been paid.
There are two payment options:
1. Pay the discounted price of $350 for the year in full by orientation, Sunday, September 7, 2025. Tuition payments for the year in full after Sunday, September 7, 2025 will be $400.
2. Pay $200 per semester.
○ Fall tuition due date is Sunday, September 7, 2025.
○ Spring tuition due date is Sunday, January 11, 2025.
SBSOO: Tuition for the SBSOO for the 2025-2026 season is $100 per semester for fall and spring, $200 total for the year (there is a $25 discount if tuition for the entire year is paid by September 7). Students will not be able to participate in the SBSOO rehearsals before a payment plan has been selected and tuition has been paid.
There are two payment options:
1. Pay the discounted price of $175 for the year in full by orientation, Sunday, September 7, 2025. Tuition payments for the year in full after Sunday, September 7, 2025 will be $200.
2. Pay $100 per semester.
○ Fall tuition due date is Sunday, September 7, 2025.
○ Spring tuition due date is Sunday, January 11, 2025.
If a student is given permission to join the SBSYO or SBSOO after the first rehearsal of a semester, the tuition will be prorated to the starting rehearsal date.
Currently, the SBSYO & SBSOO offer very limited need-based financial aid for students who require tuition assistance. Please click here for more information, and the application:
Please note that there is a $20 late fee for tuition. To avoid the fee, your tuition payment must be received by no later than four days following the due dates listed above.
CONTACT INFORMATION
By Mail:
San Bernardino Symphony Youth Orchestra
PO Box 109
San Bernardino, CA 92402
By Email:
General Email
sbsyo@sanbernardinosymphony.org
San Bernardino Symphony Youth Orchestra Director and Conductor
Dr. Lucy Lewis
lucy.lewis@sanbernardinosymphony.org
San Bernardino Symphony Youth Orchestra Assistant Conductor
Ms. Veronica Manzanera
veronica.manzanera@sanbernardinosymphony.org
San Bernardino Symphony Overture Orchestra Director and Conductor
Dr. Susan Barnes
susan.barnes@sanbernardinosymphony.org
San Bernardino Symphony Overture Orchestra Assistant Conductor
Ms. Susan Felix
susan.felix@sanbernardinosymphony.org
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
As an initiative of the San Bernardino Symphony Association, the SBYSO program is overseen by Symphony leadership.
Dr. Kevin Zhang, Chair, San Bernardino Symphony Association Board Member
Dr. Jessica Getman, San Bernardino Symphony Association Board Member
Dr. Kenneth Lane, San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra Board Member
Dr. Margaret Worsley, San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra Principal Clarinet
Maestro Anthony Parnther, San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra Music Director
Maestra Raphaela Lacerda, San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra Resident Conductor
Want to Support a Student?
Student tuition is assessed in order that this program can be self-supporting, but not every student can afford to pay. You can support a SBSYO and/or SBSOO program student by making a tax deductible donation in any amount. Simply click on:
Then select “Support a San Bernardino Symphony Youth Orchestra Member” from the drop-down menu. Thank you!